Nucleic acids encoding opiate receptors

ABSTRACT

The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules, host cells that contain an isolated nucleic acid molecule, and substantially pure polypeptides. For example, the invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode polypeptides having mu3 opiate receptor activity, host cells that contain an isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity, and substantially pure polypeptides that have mu3 opiate receptor activity. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for identifying mu3 opiate receptor agonists and antagonists.

CROSS-RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/270,479, filed Feb. 22, 2001 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/336,677, filed Dec. 5, 2001.

STATEMENT AS TO FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Funding for the work described herein was provided by the federal government under NIDA number 5R24DA09010. Thus, the federal government may have certain rights in the invention.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to opiate receptors. Specifically, the invention relates to mu3 and mu4 opiate receptors as well as mu3 and mu4 opiate receptor activation and inhibition.

2. Background Information

Three general classes of cell surface opioid receptors (kappa, delta, and mu) have been described based on ligand specificity. Opioid receptors exhibiting high binding specificity for morphine have been designated mu opioid receptors. Detailed analysis of mu opioid receptors from various tissues has revealed the existence of multiple mu opioid receptor subtypes. In fact, the cDNA encoding the mul opioid receptor subtype has been identified. Oligonucleotides complementary to some, but not all, exons of the mul opioid receptor can block the effects mediated by the mu1 and mu2 receptor subtypes. Thus, the mu1 and mu2 opioid receptor subtypes appear to share exon sequences, as would be expected of splice variants. Supporting the idea of alternative splicing is the finding of a single mu gene in human and mouse chromosomal DNA. In addition, a novel rat brain mu opioid receptor subtype, designated rMOR1B, has been identified.

This receptor is identical to the rat mul opioid receptor at its N-terminus but differs in its length and sequence at the C-terminus. Further, affinity studies demonstrated that the substrate specificity of rMOR1B is similar to that of the rat mul opioid receptor, but rMOR1B is more resistant to agonist-induced desensitization and has a different expression pattern in brain. The presence of another opiate receptor, designated mu3 opiate receptor, has been demonstrated pharmacologically. This mu3 opiate receptor is opioid peptide insensitive and opiate alkaloid selective. In addition, detailed binding analysis indicates that the mu3 opiate receptor is expressed by immune tissues (e.g., human monocytes and granulocytes).

SUMMARY

The invention relates to opiate receptors such as mu3 and mu4 opiate receptors. Specifically, the invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode polypeptides having mu3 opiate receptor activity, host cells that contain an isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity, and substantially pure polypeptides that have mu3 opiate receptor activity. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for identifying mu3 opiate receptor agonists and antagonists.

The present invention is based on the discovery of nucleic acid that encodes a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity. The term “mu3 opiate receptor” as used herein refers to a cell surface polypeptide that has a higher affinity for morphine than that for the opioid polypeptide [Tyr-D-Ala², Gly-N-Me-Phe⁴, Gly(ol)⁵]-enkephalin (DAMGO; SEQ ID NO:29). The interaction of morphine with a mu3 opiate receptor can induce changes in intracellular calcium concentration and nitric oxide release. Isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity, host cells containing such isolated nucleic acid molecules, and substantially pure polypeptides having mu3 opiate receptor activity are particularly useful to research scientists since these materials allow scientists to explore, for example, the interactions of morphine with the mu3 opiate receptor, the molecular mechanisms by which morphine induces intracellular calcium concentration changes, and the relationships of mu3 opiate receptors with other mu opioid receptors. In addition, the methods and materials described herein can be used to provide cells that are responsive to morphine. For example, cells can be transfected with a vector that directs expression of a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity such that those cells can respond to morphine stimulation.

In general, the invention features an isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity. The isolated nucleic acid molecule can contain a nucleic acid sequence with a length and a percent identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 over the length, where the point defined by the length and the percent identity is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1, where point A has coordinates (81, 100), point B has coordinates (81, 65), point C has coordinates (15, 65), and point D has coordinates (15, 100). The polypeptide can contain an amino acid sequence with a length and a percent identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 over the length, where the point defined by the length and the percent identity is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1, where point A has coordinates (26, 100), point B has coordinates (26, 65), point C has coordinates (5, 65), and point D has coordinates (5, 100). The isolated nucleic acid molecule can hybridizes under hybridization conditions to the sense or antisense strand of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 3. The isolated nucleic acid molecule can contain the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4, 6, 8, or 10.

In another embodiment, the invention features an isolated nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under hybridization conditions to the sense or antisense strand of a nucleic acid that encodes a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity, where the isolated nucleic acid molecule is at least 12 nucleotides in length, and where the isolated nucleic acid molecule does not hybridize to the sense or antisense strand of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:12 or 13.

Another embodiment of the invention features an isolated nucleic acid molecule containing a nucleic acid sequence with a length and a percent identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 over the length, where the point defined by the length and the percent identity is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1, where point A has coordinates (81, 100), point B has coordinates (81, 65), point C has coordinates (15, 65), and point D has coordinates (15, 100). The isolated nucleic acid molecule can encode a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity.

In another aspect, the invention features a cell containing an isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity. The isolated nucleic acid molecule can contain a nucleic acid sequence with a length and a percent identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 over the length, where the point defined by the length and the percent identity is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1, where point A has coordinates (81, 100), point B has coordinates (81, 65), point C has coordinates (15, 65), and point D has coordinates (15, 100). The polypeptide can contain an amino acid sequence with a length and a percent identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 over the length, where the point defined by the length and the percent identity is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1, where point A has coordinates (26, 100), point B has coordinates (26, 65), point C has coordinates (5, 65), and point D has coordinates (5, 100). The isolated nucleic acid molecule can hybridize under hybridization conditions to the sense or antisense strand of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 3. The isolated nucleic acid molecule can contain the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4, 6, 8, or 10.

In another embodiment, the invention features a cell containing an isolated nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under hybridization conditions to the sense or antisense strand of a nucleic acid that encodes a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity, where the isolated nucleic acid molecule is at least 12 nucleotides in length, and where the isolated nucleic acid molecule does not hybridize to the sense or antisense strand of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:12 or 13.

Another aspect of the invention features a substantially pure polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity. The polypeptide can be encoded by a nucleic acid sequence having a length and a percent identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 over the length, where the point defined by the length and the percent identity is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1, where point A has coordinates (81, 100), point B has coordinates (81, 65), point C has coordinates (15, 65), and point D has coordinates (15, 100). The polypeptide can contain an amino acid sequence with a length and a percent identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 over the length, where the point defined by the length and the percent identity is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1, where point A has coordinates (26, 100), point B has coordinates (26, 65), point C has coordinates (5, 65), and point D has coordinates (5, 100). The polypeptide can be encoded by a nucleic acid molecule that hybridizes under hybridization conditions to the sense or antisense strand of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 3. The polypeptide can contain the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:5, 7, 9, or 11.

Another aspect of the invention features a method for identifying a mu3 opiate receptor agonist. The method includes (a) contacting a cell with a test molecule, where the cell contains an isolated nucleic acid molecule (e.g., exogenous nucleic acid molecule) that encodes a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity, and where the cell expresses the polypeptide, and (b) determining whether or not the test molecule induces, in the cell, a mu3 opiate receptor-mediated response. The determining step can include monitoring nitric oxide synthase activity in the cell. The monitoring nitric oxide synthase activity can include detecting nitric oxide release from the cell. A nitric oxide-specific amperometric probe can be used to detect the nitric oxide release. The determining step can include monitoring intracellular calcium levels within the cell. A fluorescent ion indicator can be used to monitor the intracellular calcium levels. The fluorescent ion indicator can be Fura-2. The determining step can contain monitoring nitric oxide synthase activity and intracellular calcium levels in the cell.

Another aspect of the invention features a method for identifying a mu3 opiate receptor antagonist. The method includes (a) contacting a cell with a test molecule and a mu3 opiate receptor agonist, where the cell contains an isolated nucleic acid molecule (e.g., exogenous nucleic acid molecule) that encodes a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity, and where the cell expresses the polypeptide, and (b) determining whether or not the test molecule reduces or prevents, in the cell, a mu3 opiate receptor-mediated response induced by the mu3 opiate receptor agonist. The mu3 opiate receptor agonist can contain morphine or dihydromorphine. The determining step can include monitoring nitric oxide synthase activity in the cell. The determining step can include monitoring intracellular calcium levels within the cell.

Another aspect of the invention features an isolated nucleic acid molecule containing a nucleic acid sequence with a length and a percent identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:22 over the length, where the point defined by the length and the percent identity is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1, where point A has coordinates (225, 100), point B has coordinates (225, 65), point C has coordinates (15, 65), and point D has coordinates (15, 100).

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph plotting length and percent identity with points A, B, C, and D defining an area indicated by shading.

FIG. 2 is a bar graph plotting the relative mu4 mRNA expression level in mononuclear cells for the indicated treatments.

FIG. 3 is a bar graph plotting the relative mu4 mRNA expression level in mononuclear cells treated with SNAP for the indicated durations.

FIG. 4 is a bar graph plotting the relative mu4 mRNA expression level in mononuclear cells treated with morphine for the indicated durations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules, host cells that contain an isolated nucleic acid molecule, and substantially pure polypeptides. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for identifying mu3 opiate receptor agonists and antagonists.

Nucleic Acids

The term “nucleic acid” as used herein encompasses both RNA and DNA, including cDNA, genomic DNA, and synthetic (e.g., chemically synthesized) DNA. The nucleic acid can be double-stranded or single-stranded. Where single-stranded, the nucleic acid can be the sense strand or the antisense strand. In addition, nucleic acid can be circular or linear.

The term “isolated” as used herein with reference to nucleic acid refers to a naturally-occurring nucleic acid that is not immediately contiguous with both of the sequences with which it is immediately contiguous (one on the 5′ end and one on the 3′ end) in the naturally-occurring genome of the organism from which it is derived. For example, an isolated nucleic acid can be, without limitation, a recombinant DNA molecule of any length, provided one of the nucleic acid sequences normally found immediately flanking that recombinant DNA molecule in a naturally-occurring genome is removed or absent. Thus, an isolated nucleic acid includes, without limitation, a recombinant DNA that exists as a separate molecule (e.g., a cDNA or a genomic DNA fragment produced by PCR or restriction endonuclease treatment) independent of other sequences as well as recombinant DNA that is incorporated into a vector, an autonomously replicating plasmid, a virus (e.g., a retrovirus, adenovirus, or herpes virus), or into the genomic DNA of a prokaryote or eukaryote. In addition, an isolated nucleic acid can include a recombinant DNA molecule that is part of a hybrid or fusion nucleic acid sequence.

The term “isolated” as used herein with reference to nucleic acid also includes any non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid since non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid sequences are not found in nature and do not have immediately contiguous sequences in a naturally-occurring genome. For example, non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid such as an engineered nucleic acid is considered to be isolated nucleic acid. Engineered nucleic acid can be made using common molecular cloning or chemical nucleic acid synthesis techniques. Isolated non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid can be independent of other sequences, or incorporated into a vector, an autonomously replicating plasmid, a virus (e.g., a retrovirus, adenovirus, or herpes virus), or the genomic DNA of a prokaryote or eukaryote. In addition, a non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid can include a nucleic acid molecule that is part of a hybrid or fusion nucleic acid sequence.

It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that a nucleic acid existing among hundreds to millions of other nucleic acid molecules within, for example, cDNA or genomic libraries, or gel slices containing a genomic DNA restriction digest is not to be considered an isolated nucleic acid.

The term “exogenous” as used herein with reference to nucleic acid and a particular cell refers to any nucleic acid that does not originate from that particular cell as found in nature. Thus, all non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid is considered to be exogenous to a cell once introduced into the cell. It is important to note that non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid can contain nucleic acid sequences or fragments of nucleic acid sequences that are found in nature provided the nucleic acid as a whole does not exist in nature. For example, a nucleic acid molecule containing a genomic DNA sequence within an expression vector is non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid, and thus is exogenous to a cell once introduced into the cell, since that nucleic acid molecule as a whole (genomic DNA plus vector DNA) does not exist in nature. Thus, any vector, autonomously replicating plasmid, or virus (e.g., retrovirus, adenovirus, or herpes virus) that as a whole does not exist in nature is considered to be non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid. It follows that genomic DNA fragments produced by PCR or restriction endonuclease treatment as well as cDNAs are considered to be non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid since they exist as separate molecules not found in nature. It also follows that any nucleic acid containing a promoter sequence and polypeptide-encoding sequence (e.g., cDNA or genomic DNA) in an arrangement not found in nature is non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid.

Nucleic acid that is naturally-occurring can be exogenous to a particular cell. For example, an entire chromosome isolated from a cell of person X is an exogenous nucleic acid with respect to a cell of person Y once that chromosome is introduced into Y's cell.

The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that contain a nucleic acid sequence having (1) a length, and (2) a percent identity to an identified nucleic acid sequence over that length. The invention also provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that contain a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide that contains an amino acid sequence having (1) a length, and (2) a percent identity to an identified amino acid sequence over that length. Typically, the identified nucleic acid or amino acid sequence is a sequence referenced by a particular sequence identification number, and the nucleic acid or amino acid sequence being compared to the identified sequence is referred to as the target sequence. For example, an identified sequence can be the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.

A length and percent identity over that length for any nucleic acid or amino acid sequence is determined as follows. First, a nucleic acid or amino acid sequence is compared to the identified nucleic acid or amino acid sequence using the BLAST 2 Sequences (B12seq) program from the stand-alone version of BLASTZ containing BLASTN version 2.0.14 and BLASTP version 2.0.14. This stand-alone version of BLASTZ can be obtained from the State University of New York—Old Westbury campus library as well as at Fish & Richardson's web site (“www” dot “fr” dot “com”) or the U.S. government's National Center for Biotechnology Information web site (“www” dot “ncbi” dot “nlm” dot “nih” dot “gov”). Instructions explaining how to use the B12seq program can be found in the readme file accompanying BLASTZ. B12seq performs a comparison between two sequences using either the BLASTN or BLASTP algorithm. BLASTN is used to compare nucleic acid sequences, while BLASTP is used to compare amino acid sequences. To compare two nucleic acid sequences, the options are set as follows: -i is set to a file containing the first nucleic acid sequence to be compared (e.g., C:\seq1.txt); -j is set to a file containing the second nucleic acid sequence to be compared (e.g., C:\seq2.txt); -p is set to blastn; -o is set to any desired file name (e.g., C:\output.txt); -q is set to −1; -r is set to 2; and all other options are left at their default setting. For example, the following command can be used to generate an output file containing a comparison between two sequences: C:\B12seq -i c:\seq1.txt -j c:\seq2.txt -p blastn -o c:\output.txt -q -1 -r 2. To compare two amino acid sequences, the options of B12seq are set as follows: -i is set to a file containing the first amino acid sequence to be compared (e.g., C:\seq1.txt); -j is set to a file containing the second amino acid sequence to be compared (e.g., C:\seq2.txt); -p is set to blastp; -o is set to any desired file name (e.g., C:\output.txt); and all other options are left at their default setting. For example, the following command can be used to generate an output file containing a comparison between two amino acid sequences: C:\B12seq -i c:\seq1.txt -j c:\seq2.txt -p blastp -o c:\output.txt. If the target sequence shares homology with any portion of the identified sequence, then the designated output file will present those regions of homology as aligned sequences. If the target sequence does not share homology with any portion of the identified sequence, then the designated output file will not present aligned sequences. Once aligned, a length is determined by counting the number of consecutive nucleotides or amino acid residues from the target sequence presented in alignment with sequence from the identified sequence starting with any matched position and ending with any other matched position. A matched position is any position where an identical nucleotide or amino acid residue is presented in both the target and identified sequence. Gaps presented in the target sequence are not counted since gaps are not nucleotides or amino acid residues. Likewise, gaps presented in the identified sequence are not counted since target sequence nucleotides or amino acid residues are counted, not nucleotides or amino acid residues from the identified sequence.

The percent identity over a determined length is determined by counting the number of matched positions over that length and dividing that number by the length followed by multiplying the resulting value by 100. For example, if (1) a 1000 nucleotide target sequence is compared to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4, (2) the B12seq program presents 200 nucleotides from the target sequence aligned with a region of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 where the first and last nucleotides of that 200 nucleotide region are matches, and (3) the number of matches over those 200 aligned nucleotides is 180, then the 1000 nucleotide target sequence contains a length of 200 and a percent identity over that length of 90 (i.e., 180÷200*100=90).

It will be appreciated that a single nucleic acid or amino acid target sequence that aligns with an identified sequence can have many different lengths with each length having its own percent identity. For example, a target sequence containing a 20 nucleotide region that aligns with an identified sequence as follows has many different lengths including those listed in Table 1.

--1                  20 Target Sequence:   AGGTCGTGTACTGTCAGTCA (SEQ ID NO:27)   |  ||  |||  ||||  ||||  | Identified Sequence:   ACGTGGTGAACTGCCAGTGA (SEQ ID NO:28)

TABLE I Starting Ending Matched Percent Position Position Length Positions Identity 1 20 20 15 75.0 1 18 18 14 77.8 1 15 15 11 73.3 6 20 15 12 80.0 6 17 12 10 83.3 6 15 10  8 80.0 8 20 13 10 76.9 8 16  9  7 77.8

It is noted that the percent identity value is rounded to the nearest tenth. For example, 78.11, 78.12, 78.13, and 78.14 is rounded down to 78.1, while 78.15, 78.16, 78.17, 78.18, and 78.19 is rounded up to 78.2. It is also noted that the length value will always be an integer.

The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules containing a nucleic acid sequence that has at least one length and percent identity over that length as determined above such that the point defined by that length and percent identity is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1. In addition, the invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules containing a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a polypeptide containing an amino acid sequence that has at least one length and percent identity over that length as determined above such that the point defined by that length and percent identity is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1. The point defined by a length and percent identity over that length is that point on the X/Y coordinate of FIG. 1 where the X axis is the length and the Y axis is the percent identity. Thus, the point defined by a nucleic acid sequence with a length of 200 and a percent identity of 90 has coordinates (200, 90). For the purpose of this invention, any point that falls on point A, B, C, or D is considered within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1. Likewise, any point that falls on a line that defines the area defined by points A, B, C, and D is considered within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1.

It will be appreciated that the term “the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1” as used herein refers to that area defined by the lines that connect point A with point B, point B with point C, point C with point D, and point D with point A. Points A, B, C, and D can define an area having any shape defined by four points (e.g., square, rectangle, or rhombus). In addition, two or more points can have the same coordinates. For example, points B and C can have identical coordinates. In this case, the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1 is triangular. If three points have identical coordinates, then the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1 is a line. In this case, any point that falls on that line would be considered within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1. If all four points have identical coordinates, then the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1 is a point. In all cases, simple algebraic equations can be used to determine whether a point is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1.

It is noted that FIG. 1 is a graphical representation presenting possible positions of points A, B, C, and D. The shaded area illustrated in FIG. 1 represents one possible example, while the arrows indicate that other positions for points A, B, C, and D are possible. In fact, points A, B, C, and D can have any X coordinate and any Y coordinate. For example, point A can have an X coordinate equal to the number of nucleotides or amino acid residues in an identified sequence, and a Y coordinate of 100. Point B can have an X coordinate equal to the number of nucleotides or amino acid residues in an identified sequence, and a Y coordinate less than or equal to 100 (e.g., 50, 55, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, and 99). Point C can have an X coordinate equal to a percent (e.g., 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, or more percent) of the number of nucleotides or amino acid residues in an identified sequence, and a Y coordinate less than or equal to 100 (e.g., 50, 55, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, and 99). Point D can have an X coordinate equal to the length of a typical PCR primer (e.g., 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or more) or antigenic polypeptide (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or more), and a Y coordinate less than or equal to 100 (e.g., 50, 55, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, and 99).

Isolated nucleic acid molecules containing a nucleic acid sequence having a length and a percent identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 over that length are within the scope of the invention provided the point defined by that length and percent identity is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1; where point A has an X coordinate less than or equal to 81, and a Y coordinate less than or equal to 100; where point B has an X coordinate less than or equal to 81, and a Y coordinate greater than or equal to 65; where point C has an X coordinate greater than or equal to 15, and a Y coordinate greater than or equal to 65; and where point D has an X coordinate greater than or equal to 15, and a Y coordinate less than or equal to 100. For example, the X coordinate for point A can be 81, 75, 70, 65, 50, or less; and the Y coordinate for point A can be 100, 99, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, or less. The X coordinate for point B can be 81, 75, 70, 65, 50, or less; and the Y coordinate for point B can be 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99 or more. The X coordinate for point C can be 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 75, or more; and the Y coordinate for point C can be 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99 or more. The X coordinate for point D can be 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 75, or more; and the Y coordinate for point D can be 100, 99, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, or less. In one embodiment, point A can be (81, 100), point B can be (81, 95), point C can be (45, 95), and point D can be (45, 100).

Isolated nucleic acid molecules containing a nucleic acid sequence having a length and a percent identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 over that length are within the scope of the invention provided the point defined by that length and percent identity is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1; where point A has an X coordinate less than or equal to 262, and a Y coordinate less than or equal to 100; where point B has an X coordinate less than or equal to 262, and a Y coordinate greater than or equal to 65; where point C has an X coordinate greater than or equal to 45, and a Y coordinate greater than or equal to 65; and where point D has an X coordinate greater than or equal to 12, and a Y coordinate less than or equal to 100. For example, the X coordinate for point A can be 262, 260, 255, 250, 245, or less; and the Y coordinate for point A can be 100, 99, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, or less. The X coordinate for point B can be 262, 260, 255, 250, 245, or less; and the Y coordinate for point B can be 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99 or more. The X coordinate for point C can be 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, or more; and the Y coordinate for point C can be 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99 or more. The X coordinate for point D can be 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100, or more; and the Y coordinate for point D can be 100, 99, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, or less. In one embodiment, point A can be (262, 100), point B can be (262, 95), point C can be (100, 95), and point D can be (100, 100).

Isolated nucleic acid molecules containing a nucleic acid sequence having a length and a percent identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:22 over that length are within the scope of the invention provided the point defined by that length and percent identity is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1; where point A has an X coordinate less than or equal to 225, and a Y coordinate less than or equal to 100; where point B has an X coordinate less than or equal to 225, and a Y coordinate greater than or equal to 65; where point C has an X coordinate greater than or equal to 45, and a Y coordinate greater than or equal to 65; and where point D has an X coordinate greater than or equal to 12, and a Y coordinate less than or equal to 100. For example, the X coordinate for point A can be 225, 220, 215, 210, 205, 200, 175, 150, or less; and the Y coordinate for point A can be 100, 99, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, or less. The X coordinate for point B can be 225, 220, 215, 210, 205, 200, 175, 150, or less; and the Y coordinate for point B can be 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99 or more. The X coordinate for point C can be 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, or more; and the Y coordinate for point C can be 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99 or more. The X coordinate for point D can be 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 75, 100, or more; and the Y coordinate for point D can be 100, 99, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, or less. In one embodiment, point A can be (225, 100), point B can be (225, 95), point C can be (100, 95), and point D can be (100, 100).

Isolated nucleic acid molecules containing a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a polypeptide containing an amino acid sequence having a length and a percent identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 over that length are within the scope of the invention provided the point defined by that length and percent identity is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1; where point A has an X coordinate less than or equal to 26, and a Y coordinate less than or equal to 100; where point B has an X coordinate less than or equal to 26, and a Y coordinate greater than or equal to 50; where point C has an X coordinate greater than or equal to 10, and a Y coordinate greater than or equal to 50; and where point D has an X coordinate greater than or equal to 5, and a Y coordinate less than or equal to 100. For example, the X coordinate for point A can be 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, or less; and the Y coordinate for point A can be 100, 99, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, or less. The X coordinate for point B can be 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, or less; and the Y coordinate for point B can be 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99 or more. The X coordinate for point C can be 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, or more; and the Y coordinate for point C can be 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99 or more. The X coordinate for point D can be 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, or more; and the Y coordinate for point D can be 100, 99, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, or less. In one embodiment, point A can be (26, 100), point B can be (26, 95), point C can be (10, 95), and point D can be (5, 100).

The invention also provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that are at least about 12 bases in length (e.g., at least about 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, or 5000 bases in length) and hybridize, under hybridization conditions, to the sense or antisense strand of a nucleic acid having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 22. The hybridization conditions can be moderately or highly stringent hybridization conditions. Such nucleic acid molecules can be molecules that do not hybridize to the sense or antisense strand of a nucleic acid having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:12 or 13.

For the purpose of this invention, moderately stringent hybridization conditions mean the hybridization is performed at about 42° C. in a hybridization solution containing 25 mM KPO₄ (pH 7.4), 5×SSC, 5×Denhart's solution, 50 μg/mL denatured, sonicated salmon sperm DNA, 50% formamide, 10% Dextran sulfate, and 1–15 ng/mL probe (about 5×10⁷ cpm/μg), while the washes are performed at about 50° C. with a wash solution containing 2×SSC and 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate.

Highly stringent hybridization conditions mean the hybridization is performed at about 42° C. in a hybridization solution containing 25 mM KPO₄ (pH 7.4), 5×SSC, 5×Denhart's solution, 50 μg/mL denatured, sonicated salmon sperm DNA, 50% formamide, 10% Dextran sulfate, and 1–15 ng/mL probe (about 5×10⁷ cpm/μg), while the washes are performed at about 65° C. with a wash solution containing 0.2×SSC and 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate.

Isolated nucleic acid molecules within the scope of the invention can be obtained using any method including, without limitation, common molecular cloning and chemical nucleic acid synthesis techniques. For example, PCR can be used to obtain an isolated nucleic acid molecule containing a nucleic acid sequence sharing similarity to the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 22. PCR refers to a procedure or technique in which target nucleic acid is amplified in a manner similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,195, and subsequent modifications of the procedure described therein. Generally, sequence information from the ends of the region of interest or beyond are used to design oligonucleotide primers that are identical or similar in sequence to opposite strands of a potential template to be amplified. Using PCR, a nucleic acid sequence can be amplified from RNA or DNA. For example, a nucleic acid sequence can be isolated by PCR amplification from total cellular RNA, total genomic DNA, and cDNA as well as from bacteriophage sequences, plasmid sequences, viral sequences, and the like. When using RNA as a source of template, reverse transcriptase can be used to synthesize complimentary DNA strands.

Isolated nucleic acid molecules within the scope of the invention also can be obtained by mutagenesis. For example, an isolated nucleic acid containing a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, or 22 can be mutated using common molecular cloning techniques (e.g., site-directed mutagenesis). Possible mutations include, without limitation, deletions, insertions, and substitutions, as well as combinations of deletions, insertions, and substitutions.

In addition, nucleic acid and amino acid databases (e.g., GenBank®) can be used to obtain an isolated nucleic acid molecule within the scope of the invention. For example, any nucleic acid sequence having some homology to a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, or 22, or any amino acid sequence having some homology to a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 can be used as a query to search GenBank®.

Further, nucleic acid hybridization techniques can be used to obtain an isolated nucleic acid molecule within the scope of the invention. Briefly, any nucleic acid molecule having some homology to a sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, or 22 can be used as a probe to identify a similar nucleic acid by hybridization under conditions of moderate to high stringency. Once identified, the nucleic acid molecule then can be purified, sequenced, and analyzed to determine whether it is within the scope of the invention as described herein.

Hybridization can be done by Southern or Northern analysis to identify a DNA or RNA sequence, respectively, that hybridizes to a probe. The probe can be labeled with a biotin, digoxygenin, an enzyme, or a radioisotope such as ³²P. The DNA or RNA to be analyzed can be electrophoretically separated on an agarose or polyacrylamide gel, transferred to nitrocellulose, nylon, or other suitable membrane, and hybridized with the probe using standard techniques well known in the art such as those described in sections 7.39–7.52 of Sambrook et al., (1989) Molecular Cloning, second edition, Cold Spring harbor Laboratory, Plainview, N.Y. Typically, a probe is at least about 20 nucleotides in length. For example, a probe corresponding to a 20 nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 3 can be used to identify an identical or similar nucleic acid. In addition, probes longer or shorter than 20 nucleotides can be used.

The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that contain the entire nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 17, 21, 22, or 23. In addition, the invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that contain a portion of the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 22. For example, the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule that contains a 15 nucleotide sequence identical to any 15 nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 22 including, without limitation, the sequence starting at nucleotide number 1 and ending at nucleotide number 15, the sequence starting at nucleotide number 2 and ending at nucleotide number 16, the sequence starting at nucleotide number 3 and ending at nucleotide number 17, and so forth. It will be appreciated that the invention also provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that contain a nucleotide sequence that is greater than 15 nucleotides (e.g., 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, or more nucleotides) in length and identical to any portion of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 22. For example, the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule that contains a 25 nucleotide sequence identical to any 25 nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 22 including, without limitation, the sequence starting at nucleotide number 1 and ending at nucleotide number 25, the sequence starting at nucleotide number 2 and ending at nucleotide number 26, the sequence starting at nucleotide number 3 and ending at nucleotide number 27, and so forth. Additional examples include, without limitation, isolated nucleic acid molecules that contain a nucleotide sequence that is 50 or more nucleotides (e.g., 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, or more nucleotides) in length and identical to any portion of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 22.

In addition, the invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that contain a variation of the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 22. For example, the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule containing a nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 22 that contains a single insertion, a single deletion, a single substitution, multiple insertions, multiple deletions, multiple substitutions, or any combination thereof (e.g., single deletion together with multiple insertions). The invention also provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that contain a variant of a portion of the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, or 22 as described herein.

The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that contain a nucleic acid sequence that encodes the entire amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. In addition, the invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that contain a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a portion of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. For example, the invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that contain a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a 5 amino acid sequence identical to any 5 amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 including, without limitation, the sequence starting at amino acid residue number 1 and ending at amino acid residue number 5, the sequence starting at amino acid residue number 2 and ending at amino acid residue number 6, the sequence starting at amino acid residue number 3 and ending at amino acid residue number 7, and so forth. It will be appreciated that the invention also provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that contain a nucleic acid sequence that encodes an amino acid sequence that is greater than 5 amino acid residues (e.g., 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, or more amino acid residues) in length and identical to any portion of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. For example, the invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that contain a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a 15 amino acid sequence identical to any 15 amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 including, without limitation, the sequence starting at amino acid residue number 1 and ending at amino acid residue number 15, the sequence starting at amino acid residue number 2 and ending at amino acid residue number 16, the sequence starting at amino acid residue number 3 and ending at amino acid residue number 17, and so forth. Additional examples include, without limitation, isolated nucleic acid molecules that contain a nucleic acid sequence that encodes an amino acid sequence that is 20 or more amino acid residues (e.g., 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, or more amino acid residues) in length and identical to any portion of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

In addition, the invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that contain a nucleic acid sequence that encodes an amino acid sequence having a variation of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. For example, the invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 that contains a single insertion, a single deletion, a single substitution, multiple insertions, multiple deletions, multiple substitutions, or any combination thereof (e.g., single deletion together with multiple insertions). The invention also provides isolated nucleic acid molecules containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence that contains a variant of a portion of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 as described herein.

The isolated nucleic acid molecules within the scope of the invention can encode a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity. Any method can be use to determine whether or not a particular nucleic acid molecule encodes a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity. For example, cells transfected with a particular nucleic acid molecule can be analyzed to determine the expressed polypeptide's binding affinity for morphine and DAMGO. If the binding affinity for morphine is higher than the binding affinity for DAMGO, then the expressed polypeptide has mu3 opiate receptor activity. Controls can be used to confirm the specificity of the various binding affinities. For example, untranfected cells can be used to confirm that the measured binding affinity is specific for the polypeptide encoded by the introduced nucleic acid molecule. Examples of techniques that can be used to evaluate mu3 opiate receptor activities are provided elsewhere (e.g., WO99/24471).

Polypeptides

The invention provides substantially pure polypeptides. The term “substantially pure” as used herein with reference to a polypeptide means the polypeptide is substantially free of other polypeptides, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acid with which it is naturally associated. Thus, a substantially pure polypeptide is any polypeptide that is removed from its natural environment and is at least 60 percent pure. A substantially pure polypeptide can be at least about 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 99 percent pure. Typically, a substantially pure polypeptide will yield a single major band on a non-reducing polyacrylamide gel.

Any substantially pure polypeptide having an amino acid sequence encoded by a nucleic acid within the scope of the invention is itself within the scope of the invention. In addition, any substantially pure polypeptide containing an amino acid sequence having a length and a percent identity to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 over that length as determined herein is within the scope of the invention provided the point defined by that length and percent identity is within the area defined by points A, B, C, and D of FIG. 1; where point A has an X coordinate less than or equal to 26, and a Y coordinate less than or equal to 100; where point B has an X coordinate less than or equal to 26, and a Y coordinate greater than or equal to 50; where point C has an X coordinate greater than or equal to 10, and a Y coordinate greater than or equal to 50; and where point D has an X coordinate greater than or equal to 5, and a Y coordinate less than or equal to 100. For example, the X coordinate for point A can be 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, or less; and the Y coordinate for point A can be 100, 99, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, or less. The X coordinate for point B can be 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, or less; and the Y coordinate for point B can be 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99 or more. The X coordinate for point C can be 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, or more; and the Y coordinate for point C can be 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99 or more. The X coordinate for point D can be 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, or more; and the Y coordinate for point D can be 100, 99, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, or less. In one embodiment, point A can be (26, 100), point B can be (26, 95), point C can be (10, 95), and point D can be (5, 100).

Any method can be used to obtain a substantially pure polypeptide. For example, common polypeptide purification techniques such as affinity chromotography and HPLC as well as polypeptide synthesis techniques can be used. In addition, any material can be used as a source to obtain a substantially pure polypeptide. For example, tissue from wild-type or transgenic animals can be used as a source material. In addition, tissue culture cells engineered to over-express a particular polypeptide of interest can be used to obtain substantially pure polypeptide. Further, a polypeptide within the scope of the invention can be engineered to contain an amino acid sequence that allows the polypeptide to be captured onto an affinity matrix. For example, a tag such as c-myc, hemagglutinin, polyhistidine, or Flag™ tag (Kodak) can be used to aid polypeptide purification. Such tags can be inserted anywhere within the polypeptide including at either the carboxyl or amino termini. Other fusions that could be useful include enzymes that aid in the detection of the polypeptide, such as alkaline phosphatase.

The invention provides polypeptides that contain the entire amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, 5, 7, or 9. In addition, the invention provides polypeptides that contain a portion of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. For example, the invention provides polypeptides that contain a 5 amino acid sequence identical to any 5 amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 including, without limitation, the sequence starting at amino acid residue number 1 and ending at amino acid residue number 5, the sequence starting at amino acid residue number 2 and ending at amino acid residue number 6, the sequence starting at amino acid residue number 3 and ending at amino acid residue number 7, and so forth. It will be appreciated that the invention also provides polypeptides that contain an amino acid sequence that is greater than 5 amino acid residues (e.g., 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, or more amino acid residues) in length and identical to any portion of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. For example, the invention provides polypeptides that contain a 15 amino acid sequence identical to any 15 amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 including, without limitation, the sequence starting at amino acid residue number 1 and ending at amino acid residue number 15, the sequence starting at amino acid residue number 2 and ending at amino acid residue number 16, the sequence starting at amino acid residue number 3 and ending at amino acid residue number 17, and so forth. Additional examples include, without limitation, polypeptides that contain an amino acid sequence that is 20 or more amino acid residues (e.g., 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, or more amino acid residues) in length and identical to any portion of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

In addition, the invention provides polypeptides containing an amino acid sequence having a variation of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. For example, the invention provides polypeptides containing an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 that contains a single insertion, a single deletion, a single substitution, multiple insertions, multiple deletions, multiple substitutions, or any combination thereof (e.g., single deletion together with multiple insertions). The invention also provides polypeptides containing an amino acid sequence that contains a variant of a portion of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 as described herein.

The substantially pure polypeptides within the scope of the invention can have mu3 opiate receptor activity. Any method can be use to determine whether or not a particular polypeptide has mu3 opiate receptor activity. For example, cells expressing a particular polypeptide can be analyzed to determine the polypeptide's binding affinity for morphine and DAMGO. If the binding affinity for morphine is higher than the binding affinity for DAMGO, then the expressed polypeptide has mu3 opiate receptor activity. Controls can be used to confirm the specificity of the various binding affinities. For example, cells lacking the polypeptide can be used to confirm that the measured binding affinity is specific for that particular polypeptide.

Host Cells

A host cell within the scope of the invention is any cell containing at least one isolated nucleic acid molecule described herein. Such cells can be prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. It is noted that cells containing an isolated nucleic acid molecule within the scope of the invention are not required to express a polypeptide. In addition, the isolated nucleic acid molecule can be integrated into the genome of the cell or maintained in an episomal state. Thus, host cells can be stably or transiently transfected with a construct containing an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention.

Host cells within the scope of the invention can contain an exogenous nucleic acid molecule that encodes a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity. Such host cells can express the encoded polypeptide such that the host cells exhibit at least one mu3 opiate receptor-mediated response after treatment with a mu3 opiate receptor agonist.

Any methods can be used to introduce an isolated nucleic acid molecule into a cell in vivo or in vitro. For example, calcium phosphate precipitation, electroporation, heat shock, lipofection, microinjection, and viral-mediated nucleic acid transfer are common methods that can be used to introduce an isolated nucleic acid molecule into a cell. In addition, naked DNA can be delivered directly to cells in vivo as describe elsewhere (U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,859 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,466 including continuations thereof). Further, isolated nucleic acid molecules can be introduced into cells by generating transgenic animals.

Transgenic animals can be aquatic animals (such as fish, sharks, dolphin, and the like), farm animals (such as pigs, goats, sheep, cows, horses, rabbits, and the like), rodents (such as rats, guinea pigs, and mice), non-human primates (such as baboon, monkeys, and chimpanzees), and domestic animals (such as dogs and cats). Several techniques known in the art can be used to introduce isolated nucleic acid molecules into animals to produce the founder lines of transgenic animals. Such techniques include, without limitation, pronuclear microinjection (U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,191); retrovirus mediated gene transfer into germ lines (Van der Putten et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 82:6148(1985)); gene transfection into embryonic stem cells (Gossler A et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 83:9065–9069(1986)); gene targeting into embryonic stem cells (Thompson et al., Cell, 56:313(1989)); nuclear transfer of somatic nuclei (Schnieke A E et al., Science 278:2130–2133(1997)); and electroporation of embryos (Lo C W, Mol. Cell. Biol, 3:1803–1814(1983)). Once obtained, transgenic animals can be replicated using traditional breeding or animal cloning.

Any methods can be used to identify cells containing an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention. Such methods include, without limitation, PCR and nucleic acid hybridization techniques such as Northern and Southern analysis. In some cases, immunohistochemistry and biochemical techniques can be used to determine if a cell contains a particular isolated nucleic acid molecule by detecting the expression of a polypeptide encoded by that particular nucleic acid molecule.

Identifying Mu3 Opiate Receptor Agonists

A mu3 opiate receptor agonist is any molecule that interacts with a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity such that a mu3 opiate receptor-mediated response is induced. Mu3 opiate receptor-mediated responses include, without limitation, changes in intracellular calcium concentration and nitric oxide release.

Mu3 opiate receptor agonists can be identified by (1) contacting cells expressing a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity with a test molecule, and (2) determining if that test molecule induces a mu3 opiate receptor-mediated response. Such cells include cells expressing a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity (e.g., heart cells, vein cells, artery cells, testicular cells, and white blood cells) as well as cells containing an isolated nucleic acid molecule that expresses a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity. For example, a mu3 opiate receptor agonist can be identified by contacting cells containing an isolated nucleic acid molecule having a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:4, 6, 8, or 10 with a test molecule, and determining if that test molecule induces changes in intracellular calcium concentration in a mu3-specific manner. The specificity of the interaction between a potential mu3 opiate receptor agonist and a mu3 opiate receptor can be determined using a known mu3 opiate receptor antagonist. For example, a test molecule that induces a change in intracellular calcium concentration can be identified as a mu3 opiate receptor agonist if a mu3 opiate receptor antagonist can inhibit the induction of that change in intracellular calcium concentration. In addition, the specificity of agonist-receptor interactions can be demonstrated using heterologous expression systems, receptor binding analyses, or any other method that provides a measure of agonist-receptor interaction.

A test molecule can be any molecule having any chemical structure. For example, a test molecule can be a polypeptide, carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, nucleic acid, fatty acid, or steroid. In addition, a test molecule can be lipophilic, hydrophilic, plasma membrane permeable, or plasma membrane impermeable.

The invention provides several assays that can be used to identify a mu3 opiate receptor agonist. Such assays involve monitoring at least one of the biological responses mediated by a mu3 opiate receptor in cells expressing a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity such as cells containing an exogenous nucleic acid molecule that expresses a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity. As described herein, mu3 opiate receptor-mediated responses include, without limitation, increases in intracellular calcium concentration and nitric oxide release. Thus, a mu3 opiate receptor agonist can be identified using an assay that monitors intracellular calcium concentration, nitric oxide release, or both in cells transfected with a nucleic acid molecule that expresses a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity.

Intracellular calcium concentrations can be monitored using any method. For example, intracellular calcium concentrations can be monitored using a dye that detects calcium ions. In this case, cells can be loaded with a fluorescent dye (e.g., fura-2) and monitored by dual emission microfluorimetry. The fura-2 loading process can involve washing the cells (e.g., one to four times) with incubation medium lacking calcium. This medium can be balanced with sucrose to maintain osmolarity. After washing, the cells can be incubated (e.g., 30 minutes) with loading solution. This loading solution can contain, for example, 5 μM fura-2/AM and a non-ionic/non-denaturing detergent such as Pluronic F-127. The non-ionic/non-denaturing detergent can help disperse the acetoxymethyl (AM) esters of fura-2. After incubation with the loading solution, the cells can be washed (e.g., one to four times) with, for example, PBS without calcium or magnesium to remove extracellular dye.

Once loaded, the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]i) can be calculated from the fluorescence ratio (340 and 380 nm excitation and 510 nm emission wavelength) according to the following equation: [Ca²⁺]i=(R−R_(min)) k_(d)β/(R_(max)−R); where R=fluorescence ratio recorded from the cell; R_(min)=fluorescence ratio of fura-2 free acid recorded in absence of Ca²⁺; R_(max)=fluorescence ratio of fura-2 free acid recorded in saturating concentration of Ca²⁺; k_(d)=calcium dissociation constant of the dye; and β=the ratio of fluorescence of fura-2 free acid in the Ca²⁺ free form to the Ca²⁺ saturated form recorded at the wavelength used in the denominator of the ratio. Using an image processing system such as a COMPIX C-640 SIMCA (Compix Inc., Mars, Pa.) system with an inverted microscope, images can be acquired for analysis every 0.4 seconds.

Nitric oxide (NO) release can be monitored directly or indirectly using any method. For example, a NO-specific amperometric probe can be used to measure directly the NO released from cultured cells or tissue fragments as described elsewhere (Stefano G B et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270:30290(1995) and Magazine H L et al., J. Immunol. 156:4845(1996)). Using this NO-specific probe, the concentration of NO gas in solution can be measured in real-time with, for example, a DUO 18 computer data acquisition system obtained from World Precision Instruments. Briefly, the cells or tissue fragments can be placed in a superfusion chamber containing, for example, 2 mL PBS. In addition, a micromanipulator (e.g., a micromanipulator obtained from Zeiss-Eppendorff) can be attached to the stage of an inverted microscope to aid in positioning the amperometric probe 15 μm above the surface of a cell or tissue fragment. Prior to obtaining measurements, the amperometric probe can be calibrated by generating a standard curve using different concentrations of a nitrosothiol donor such as S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP) obtained from Sigma (St. Louis, Mo.). In addition, the amperometric probe can be equilibrated in the same solution (e.g., PBS) used to incubate the cells or tissue fragments during analysis.

Identifying Mu3 Opiate Receptor Antagonists

A mu3 opiate receptor antagonist is any molecule that interacts with a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity such that the induction of a mu3 opiate receptor-mediated response is inhibited or prevented. A mu3 opiate receptor antagonist can be identified by (1) contacting cells expressing a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity with a mu3 opiate receptor agonist and a test molecule, and (2) determining if that test molecule inhibits the mu3 opiate receptor agonist from inducing a mu3 opiate receptor-mediated response. Such cells include cells expressing a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity (e.g., heart cells, vein cells, artery cells, testicular cells, and white blood cells) as well as cells containing an isolated nucleic acid molecule that expresses a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity. For example, a mu3 opiate receptor antagonist can be identified by (1) contacting cells transfected with a nucleic acid molecule that expresses a polypeptide having mu3 opiate receptor activity with morphine and a test molecule, and (2) determining if that test molecule inhibits morphine from inducing nitric oxide release. Again, a test molecule can be any molecule having any chemical structure. For example, a test molecule can be a polypeptide, carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, nucleic acid, fatty acid, or steroid. In addition, a test molecule can be lipophilic, hydrophilic, plasma membrane permeable, or plasma membrane impermeable. The cells can be contacted with the test molecule and the mu3 opiate receptor agonist in any order. For example, the test molecule can be added before the mu3 opiate receptor agonist, the test molecule can be added after the mu3 opiate receptor agonist, or the test molecule and mu3 opiate receptor agonist can be added simultaneously.

It is to be understood that each of the assays for identifying mu3 opiate receptor agonists described herein can be adapted such that mu3 opiate receptor antagonists can be identified.

The invention will be further described in the following examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Nucleic Acid Encoding a Polypeptide Having Mu3 Opiate Receptor Activity

A human testis cDNA library constructed in the pEXP1 mammalian expression vector was obtained from Clonetech (Palo Alto, Calif.). After obtaining a DNA sample from the human testis cDNA library, the library was prescreened by PCR using primers designed to amplify a 441 base pair region of the human mul opioid receptor. The forward primer had a sequence corresponding to position 892–919 of the human mu1 opioid receptor (5′-GGTACTGGGAAAACCTGCTGAAGATCTG-3′; SEQ ID NO:14), and the reverse primer had a sequence corresponding to position 1305–1332 of the human mu1 opioid receptor (5′-GGTCTCTAGTGTTCTGACGAATTCGAGT-3′; SEQ ID NO:15). After the amplification reaction, the amplification products were separated by gel electrophoresis using a 2% agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide. A441 base pair fragment was observed.

The human testis cDNA library was screened with a probe made using the same forward and reverse primers. Briefly, the screen was performed using ClonCapture cDNA Selection Kit (CloneTech; Palo Alto, Calif.) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Two positive colonies were identified in the enrichment library screen. PCR confirmed that the two colonies were positive. After isolation, the plasmid DNA from the two colonies was digested with SfiI and separated by gel electrophoresis. One insert was found to be about 1.1 kb in size while the other was found to be about 2.0 kb in size. Each insert was sequenced.

Sequence analysis of the 2.0 kb insert revealed a new splice variant that replaces the last 12 amino acid residues of the human mul opioid receptor with 26 different amino acid residues. Specifically, the nucleic acid sequence that encodes the LENLEAETAPLP (SEQ ID NO:16) carboxyl-terminus sequence of the mu1 opioid receptor was found to be replaced with a nucleic acid sequence that encodes NYYIIHRLCCNTPLISQKPV-LLWFCD (SEQ ID NO:2). The nucleic acid sequence encoding NYYIIHRLCC-NTPLISQKPVLLWFCD (SEQ ID NO:2) was found to be 5′-AATTATTATATAAT-TCATAGATGTTGCTGCAATACCCCTCTTATTTCTCAAAAGCCAGTCTTGCTCT GGTTCTGTGATTAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:1). The following nucleic acid sequence contains the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 as well as the sequence found to extend past the TAA stop codon: 5′-AATTATTATATAATTCATAGATGTTGCTGC-AATACCCCTCTTATTTCTCAAAAGCCAGTCTTGCTCTGGTTCTGTGATTAAAG AGAGAGGGTGAGTGCCTTGCCCACTGTGGTCATGGATGCAAGATATTCACAG AAAATTAGCATCATAGAAAAAAAANNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANCATGT CGGCCGCCTCGGCCAAACATCGGGTCGAGCATGCATCTAGGGCGGCCAATTC CGCCCCTCTCCCCCCCNGCNNTTT (SEQ ID NO:3). This sequence was found to replace the sequence of SEQ ID NO:12 that corresponds to nucleotide number 1374–1826 as follows: 5′-CTAGAAAATCTGGAAGCAGAAACTGCTCCGTTGCCCTAACAGG-GTCTCATGCCATTCCGACCTTCACCAAGCTTAGAAGCCACCATGTATGTGGAA GCAGGTTGCTTCAAGAATGTGTAGGAGGCTCTAATTCTCTAGGAAAGTGCCT GCTTTTAGGTCATCCAACCTCTTTCCTCTCTGGCCACTCTGCTCTGCACATTAG AGGGACAGCCAAAAGTAAGTGGAGCATTTGGAAGGAAAGGAATATACCACA CCGAGGAGTCCAGTTTGTGCAAGACACCCAGTGGAACCAAAACCCATCGTGG TATGTGAATTGAAGTCATCATAAAAGGTGACCCTTCTGTCTGTAAGATTTTAT TTTCAAGCAAATATTTATGACCTCAACAAAGAAGAACCATCTTTTGTTAAGTT CACCGTAGTAACACATAAAGTAAATGCTACCTCTGATCAAAG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:18).

The following nucleic acid sequence encodes a polypeptide that uses the start codon of the human mul opioid receptor and the carboxyl-terminus of the 2.0 kb insert: 5′-ATGTCAGATGCTCAGCTCGGTCCCCTCCGCCTGACGCTCCTCTCTGTCT-CAGCCAGGACTGGTTTCTGTAAGAAACAGCAGGAGCTGTGGCAGCGGCGAA AGGAAGCGGCTGAGGCGCTTGGAACCCGAAAAGTCTCGGTGCTCCTGGCTAC CTCGCACAGCGGTGCCCGCCCGGCCGTCAGTACCATGGACAGCAGCGCTGCC CCCACGAACGCCAGCAATTGCACTGATGCCTTGGCGTACTCAAGTTGCTCCCC AGCACCCAGCCCCGGTTCCTGGGTCAACTTGTCCCACTTAGATGGCAACCTGT CCGACCCATGCGGTCCGAACCGCACCGACCTGGGCGGGAGAGACAGCCTGTG CCCTCCGACCGGCAGTCCCTCCATGATCACGGCCATCACGATCATGGCCCTCT ACTCCATCGTGTGCGTGGTGGGGCTCTTCGGAAACTTCCTGGTCATGTATGTG ATTGTCAGATACACCAAGATGAAGACTGCCACCAACATCTACATTTTCAACCT TGCTCTGGCAGATGCCTTAGCCACCAGTACCCTGCCCTTCCAGAGTGTGAATT ACCTAATGGGAACATGGCCATTTGGAACCATCCTTTGCAAGATAGTGATCTCC ATAGATTACTATAACATGTTCACCAGCATATTCACCCTCTGCACCATGAGTGT TGATCGATACATTGCAGTCTGCCACCCTGTCAAGGCCTTAGATTTCCGTACTC CCCGAAATGCCAAAATTATCAATGTCTGCAACTGGATCCTCTCTTCAGCCATT GGTCTTCCTGTAATGTTCATGGCTACAACAAAATACAGGCAAGGTTCCATAG ATTGTACACTAACATTCTCTCATCCAACCTGGTACTGGGAAAACCTGCTGAAG ATCTGTGTTTTCATCTTCGCCTTCATTATGCCAGTGCTCATCATTACCGTGTGC TATGGACTGATGATCTTGCGCCTCAAGAGTGTCCGCATGCTCTCTGGCTCCAA AGAAAAGGACAGGAATCTTCGAAGGATCACCAGGATGGTGCTGGTGGTGGT GGCTGTGTTCATCGTCTGCTGGACTCCCATTCACATTTACGTCATCATTAAAG CCTTGGTTACAATCCCAGAAACTACGTTCCAGACTGTTTCTTGGCACTTCTGC ATTGCTCTAGGTTACACAAACAGCTGCCTCAACCCAGTCCTTTATGCATTTCT GGATGAAAACTTCAAACGATGCTTCAGAGAGTTCTGTATCCCAACCTCTTCCA ACATTGAGCAACAAAACTCCACTCGAATTCGTCAGAACACTAGAGACCACCC CTCCACGGCCAATACAGTGGATAGAACTAATCATCAGAATTATTATATAATTC ATAGATGTTGCTGCAATACCCCTCTTATTTCTCAAAAGCCAGTCTTGCTCTGG TTCTGTGATTAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:6). The amino acid sequence encoded by this nucleic acid sequence is as follows: MSDAQLGPLRLTLLSVSARTGFCKKQQEL-WQRRKEAAEALGTRKVSVLLATSHSGARPAVSTMDSSAAPTNASNCTDALAYS SCSPAPSPGSWVNLSHLDGNLSDPCGPNRTDLGGRDSLCPPTGSPSMITAITIMAL YSIVCVVGLFGNFLVMYVIVRYTKMKTATNIYIFNLALADALATSTLPFQSVNYL MGTWPFGTILCKIVISIDYYNMFTSIFTLCTMSVDRYIAVCHPVKALDFRTPRNAK IINVCNWILSSAIGLPVMFMATTKYRQGSIDCTLTFSHPTWYWENLLKICVFIFAFI MPVLIITVCYGLMILRLKSVRMLS GSKEKDRNLRRITRMVLVVVAVFIVCWTPIHI YVIIKALVTIPETTFQTVSWHFCIALGYTNSCLNPVLYAFLDENFKRCFREFCIPTS SNIEQQNSTRIRQNTRDHPSTANTVDRTNHQNYYIIHRLCCNTPLISQKPVLLWFC D (SEQ ID NO:7).

The following nucleic acid sequence encodes a polypeptide that uses the start codon of the human mu2 opioid receptor and the carboxyl-terminus of the 2.0 kb insert: 5′-ATGGACAGCAGCGCTGCCCCCACGAACGCCAGCAATTGCACTGATGC-CTTGGCGTACTCAAGTTGCTCCCCAGCACCCAGCCCCGGTTCCTGGGTCAACT TGTCCCACTTAGATGGCAACCTGTCCGACCCATGCGGTCCGAACCGCACCGA CCTGGGCGGGAGAGACAGCCTGTGCCCTCCGACCGGCAGTCCCTCCATGATC ACGGCCATCACGATCATGGCCCTCTACTCCATCGTGTGCGTGGTGGGGCTCTT CGGAAACTTCCTGGTCATGTATGTGATTGTCAGATACACCAAGATGAAGACT GCCACCAACATCTACATTTTCAACCTTGCTCTGGCAGATGCCTTAGCCACCAG TACCCTGCCCTTCCAGAGTGTGAATTACCTAATGGGAACATGGCCATTTGGAA CCATCCTTTGCAAGATAGTGATCTCCATAGATTACTATAACATGTTCACCAGC ATATTCACCCTCTGCACCATGAGTGTTGATCGATACATTGCAGTCTGCCACCC TGTCAAGGCCTTAGATTTCCGTACTCCCCGAAATGCCAAAATTATCAATGTCT GCAACTGGATCCTCTCTTCAGCCATTGGTCTTCCTGTAATGTTCATGGCTACA ACAAAATACAGGCAAGGTTCCATAGATTGTACACTAACATTCTCTCATCCAA CCTGGTACTGGGAAAACCTGCTGAAGATCTGTGTTTTCATCTTCGCCTTCATT ATGCCAGTGCTCATCATTACCGTGTGCTATGGACTGATGATCTTGCGCCTCAA GAGTGTCCGCATGCTCTCTGGCTCCAAAGAAAAGGACAGGAATCTTCGAAGG ATCACCAGGATGGTGCTGGTGGTGGTGGCTGTGTTCATCGTCTGCTGGACTCC CATTCACATTTACGTCATCATTAAAGCCTTGGTTACAATCCCAGAAACTACGT TCCAGACTGTTTCTTGGCACTTCTGCATTGCTCTAGGTTACACAAACAGCTGC CTCAACCCAGTCCTTTATGCATTTCTGGATGAAAACTTCAAACGATGCTTCAG AGAGTTCTGTATCCCAACCTCTTCCAACATTGAGCAACAAAACTCCACTCGA ATTCGTCAGAACACTAGAGACCACCCCTCCACGGCCAATACAGTGGATAGAA CTAATCATCAGAATTATTATATAATTCATAGATGTTGCTGCAATACCCCTCTT ATTTCTCAAAAGCCAGTCTTGCTCTGGTTCTGTGATTAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:8). The amino acid sequence encoded by this nucleic acid sequence is as follows: MDS-SAAPTNASNCTDALAYSSCSPAPSPGSWVNLSHLDGNLSDPCGPNRTDLGGRDS LCPPTGSPSMITAITIMALYSIVCVVGLFGNFLVMYVIVRYTKMKTATNIYIFNLA LADALATSTLPFQSVNYLMGTWPFGTILCKIVISIDYYNMFTSIFTLCTMSVDRYI AVCHPVKALDFRTPRNAKIINVCNWILSSAIGLPVMFMATTKYRQGSIDCTLTFS HPTWYWENLLKICVFIFAFIMPVLIITVCYGLMILRLKSVRMLSGSKEKDRNLRRI TRMVLVVVAVFIVCWTPIHIYVIIKALVTIPETTFQTVSWHFCIALGYTNSCLNPV LYAFLDENFKRCFREFCIPTSSNIEQQNSTRIRQNTRDHPSTANTVDRTNHQNYYII HRLCCNTPLISQKPVLLWFCD (SEQ ID NO:9).

The following nucleic acid sequence encodes a polypeptide that uses the start codon of the rat mu2 opioid receptor and the carboxyl-terminus of the 2.0 kb insert: 5′-ATGGACAGCAGCACCGGCCCAGGGAACACCAGCGACTGCTCAGACCCCTTAG CTCAGGCAAGTTGCTCCCCAGCACCTGGCTCCTGGGTCAACTTGTCCCACTTA GATGGCAACCTGTCCGACCCATGCGGTCCGAACCGCACCGACCTGGGCGGGA GAGACAGCCTGTGCCCTCCGACCGGCAGTCCCTCCATGATCACGGCCATCAC GATCATGGCCCTCTACTCCATCGTGTGCGTGGTGGGGCTCTTCGGAAACTTCC TGGTCATGTATGTGATTGTCAGATACACCAAGATGAAGACTGCCACCAACAT CTACATTTTCAACCTTGCTCTGGCAGATGCCTTAGCCACCAGTACCCTGCCCT TCCAGAGTGTGAATTACCTAATGGGAACATGGCCATTTGGAACCATCCTTTGC AAGATAGTGATCTCCATAGATTACTATAACATGTTCACCAGCATATTCACCCT CTGCACCATGAGTGTTGATCGATACATTGCAGTCTGCCACCCTGTCAAGGCCT TAGATTTCCGTACTCCCCGAAATGCCAAAATTATCAATGTCTGCAACTGGATC CTCTCTTCAGCCATTGGTCTTCCTGTAATGTTCATGGCTACAACAAAATACAG GCAAGGTTCCATAGATTGTACACTAACATTCTCTCATCCAACCTGGTACTGGG AAAACCTGCTGAAGATCTGTGTTTTCATCTTCGCCTTCATTATGCCAGTGCTC ATCATTACCGTGTGCTATGGACTGATGATCTTGCGCCTCAAGAGTGTCCGCAT GCTCTCTGGCTCCAAAGAAAAGGACAGGAATCTTCGAAGGATCACCAGGATG GTGCTGGTGGTGGTGGCTGTGTTCATCGTCTGCTGGACTCCCATTCACATTTA CGTCATCATTAAAGCCTTGGTTACAATCCCAGAAACTACGTTCCAGACTGTTT CTTGGCACTTCTGCATTGCTCTAGGTTACACAAACAGCTGCCTCAACCCAGTC CTTTATGCATTTCTGGATGAAAACTTCAAACGATGCTTCAGAGAGTTCTGTAT CCCAACCTCTTCCAACATTGAGCAACAAAACTCCACTCGAATTCGTCAGAAC ACTAGAGACCACCCCTCCACGGCCAATACAGTGGATAGAACTAATCATCAGA ATTATTATATAATTCATAGATGTTGCTGCAATACCCCTCTTATTTCTCAAAAG CCAGTCTTGCTCTGGTTCTGTGATTAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:10). The amino acid sequence encoded by this nucleic acid sequence is as follows: MDSSTGPGNTSD-CSDPLAQASCSPAPGSWVNLSHLDGNLSDPCGPNRTDLGGRDSLCPPTGSPSMIT AITIMALYSIVCVVGLFGNFLVMYVIVRYTKMKTATNIYIFNLALADALATSTLPF QSVNYLMGTWPFGTILCKIVISIDYYNMFTSIFTLCTMSVDRYIAVCHPVKALDFR TPRNAKIINVCNWILSSAIGLPVMFMATTKYRQGSIDCTLTFSHPTWYWENLLKIC VFIFAFIMPVLIITVCYGLMILRLKSVRMLSGSKEKDRNLRRITRMVLVVVAVFIV CWTPIHIYVIIKALVTIPETTFQTVSWHFCIALGYTNSCLNPVLYAFLDENFKRCFR EFCIPTS SNIEQQNSTRIRQNTRDHPSTANTVDRTNHQNYYIIHRLCCNTPLISQKP VLLWFCD (SEQ ID NO:11).

In addition, sequence analysis revealed that the 2.0 kb insert lacked the first exon of the human mu1 opioid receptor. Specifically, the 5′ end of the 2.0 kb insert started with 5′-ATACACCAAGATG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:17), lacking the first 498 nucleotides of the mu1 opioid receptor nucleic acid sequence reported in GenBank® accession number XM_(—)004341, which is set forth in SEQ ID NO:12. The following nucleic acid sequence corresponds to the open reading frame of the 2.0 kb insert: 5′-ATGAAGACTGCCA- CAACATCTACATTTTCAACCTTGCTCTGGCAGATGCCTTAGCCACCAGTACC CTGCCCTTCCAGAGTGTGAATTACCTAATGGGAACATGGCCATTTGGAACCAT CCTTTGCAAGATAGTGATCTCCATAGATTACTATAACATGTTCACCAGCATAT TCACCCTCTGCACCATGAGTGTTGATCGATACATTGCAGTCTGCCACCCTGTC AAGGCCTTAGATTTCCGTACTCCCCGAAATGCCAAAATTATCAATGTCTGCAA CTGGATCCTCTCTTCAGCCATTGGTCTTCCTGTAATGTTCATGGCTACAACAA AATACAGGCAAGGTTCCATAGATTGTACACTAACATTCTCTCATCCAACCTGG TACTGGGAAAACCTGCTGAAGATCTGTGTTTTCATCTTCGCCTTCATTATGCC AGTGCTCATCATTACCGTGTGCTATGGACTGATGATCTTGCGCCTCAAGAGTG TCCGCATGCTCTCTGGCTCCAAAGAAAAGGACAGGAATCTTCGAAGGATCAC CAGGATGGTGCTGGTGGTGGTGGCTGTGTTCATCGTCTGCTGGACTCCCATTC ACATTTACGTCATCATTAAAGCCTTGGTTACAATCCCAGAAACTACGTTCCAG ACTGTTTCTTGGCACTTCTGCATTGCTCTAGGTTACACAAACAGCTGCCTCAA CCCAGTCCTTTATGCATTTCTGGATGAAAACTTCAAACGATGCTTCAGAGAGT TCTGTATCCCAACCTCTTCCAACATTGAGCAACAAAACTCCACTCGAATTCGT CAGAACACTAGAGACCACCCCTCCACGGCCAATACAGTGGATAGAACTAATC ATCAGAATTATTATATAATTCATAGATGTTGCTGCAATACCCCTCTTATTTCTC AAAAGCCAGTCTTGCTCTGGTTCTGTGATTAA (SEQ ID NO:4). The amino acid sequence encoded by this open reading frame is as follows: MKTATNIYIFNLALAD-ALATSTLPFQSVNYLMGTWPFGTILCKIVISIDYYNMFTSIFTLCTMSVDRYIAVC HPVKALDFRTPRNAKIINVCNWILSSAIGLPVMFMATTKYRQGSIDCTLTFSHPT WYWENLLKICVFIFAFIMPVLIITVCYGLMILRLKSVRMLSGSKEKDRNLRRITRM VLVVVAVFIVCWTPIHIYVIIKALVTIPETTFQTVSWHFCIALGYTNSCLNPVLYAF LDENFKRCFREFCIPTSSNIEQQNSTRIRQNTRDHPSTANTVDRTNHQNYYIIHRLC CNTPLISQKPVLLWFCD (SEQ ID NO:5).

The nucleic acid sequence reported for the human mul opioid receptor is as follows: 5′-GAGGGGGCTATACGCAGAGGAGAATGTCAGATGCTCAGCTCGGT-CCCCTCCGCCTGACGCTCCTCTCTGTCTCAGCCAGGACTGGTTTCTGTAAGAA ACAGCAGGAGCTGTGGCAGCGGCGAAAGGAAGCGGCTGAGGCGCTTGGAAC CCGAAAAGTCTCGGTGCTCCTGGCTACCTCGCACAGCGGTGCCCGCCCGGCC GTCAGTACCATGGACAGCAGCGCTGCCCCCACGAACGCCAGCAATTGCACTG ATGCCTTGGCGTACTCAAGTTGCTCCCCAGCACCCAGCCCCGGTTCCTGGGTC AACTTGTCCCACTTAGATGGCAACCTGTCCGACCCATGCGGTCCGAACCGCA CCGACCTGGGCGGGAGAGACAGCCTGTGCCCTCCGACCGGCAGTCCCTCCAT GATCACGGCCATCACGATCATGGCCCTCTACTCCATCGTGTGCGTGGTGGGG CTCTTCGGAAACTTCCTGGTCATGTATGTGATTGTCAGATACACCAAGATGAA GACTGCCACCAACATCTACATTTTCAACCTTGCTCTGGCAGATGCCTTAGCCA CCAGTACCCTGCCCTTCCAGAGTGTGAATTACCTAATGGGAACATGGCCATTT GGAACCATCCTTTGCAAGATAGTGATCTCCATAGATTACTATAACATGTTCAC CAGCATATTCACCCTCTGCACCATGAGTGTTGATCGATACATTGCAGTCTGCC ACCCTGTCAAGGCCTTAGATTTCCGTACTCCCCGAAATGCCAAAATTATCAAT GTCTGCAACTGGATCCTCTCTTCAGCCATTGGTCTTCCTGTAATGTTCATGGCT ACAACAAAATACAGGCAAGGTTCCATAGATTGTACACTAACATTCTCTCATC CAACCTGGTACTGGGAAAACCTGCTGAAGATCTGTGTTTTCATCTTCGCCTTC ATTATGCCAGTGCTCATCATTACCGTGTGCTATGGACTGATGATCTTGCGCCT CAAGAGTGTCCGCATGCTCTCTGGCTCCAAAGAAAAGGACAGGAATCTTCGA AGGATCACCAGGATGGTGCTGGTGGTGGTGGCTGTGTTCATCGTCTGCTGGA CTCCCATTCACATTTACGTCATCATTAAAGCCTTGGTTACAATCCCAGAAACT ACGTTCCAGACTGTTTCTTGGCACTTCTGCATTGCTCTAGGTTACACAAACAG CTGCCTCAACCCAGTCCTTTATGCATTTCTGGATGAAAACTTCAAACGATGCT TCAGAGAGTTCTGTATCCCAACCTCTTCCAACATTGAGCAACAAAACTCCACT CGAATTCGTCAGAACACTAGAGACCACCCCTCCACGGCCAATACAGTGGATA GAACTAATCATCAGCTAGAAAATCTGGAAGCAGAAACTGCTCCGTTGCCCTA ACAGGGTCTCATGCCATTCCGACCTTCACCAAGCTTAGAAGCCACCATGTAT GTGGAAGCAGGTTGCTTCAAGAATGTGTAGGAGGCTCTAATTCTCTAGGAAA GTGCCTGCTTTTAGGTCATCCAACCTCTTTCCTCTCTGGCCACTCTGCTCTGCA CATTAGAGGGACAGCCAAAAGTAAGTGGAGCATTTGGAAGGAAAGGAATAT ACCACACCGAGGAGTCCAGTTTGTGCAAGACACCCAGTGGAACCAAAACCCA TCGTGGTATGTGAATTGAAGTCATCATAAAAGGTGACCCTTCTGTCTGTAAGA TTTTATTTTCAAGCAAATATTTATGACCTCAACAAAGAAGAACCATCTTTTGT TAAGTTCACCGTAGTAACACATAAAGTAAATGCTACCTCTGATCAAAGCACC TTGAATGGAAGGTCCGAGTCTTTTTAGTGTTTTGCAAGGGAATGAATCCATTA TTCTATTTTAGACTTTTAACTTCACCTTAAAATTAGCATCTGGCTAAGGCATC ATTTTCACCTCCATTTCTTGGTTTTGTATTGTTTAAAAAAATAACATCTCTTTC ATCTAGCTCCATAATTGCAAGGGAAGAGATTAGCATGAAAGGTAATCTGAAA CACAGTCATGTGTCAGCTGTAGAAAGGTTGATTCTCATGCACTGCAAATACTT CCAAAGAGTCATCATGGGGGATTTTTCATTCTTAGGCTTTCAGTGGTTTGTTC C-3′ (SEQ IDNO:12).

The nucleic acid sequence reported for the human mu2 opioid receptor is as follows: 5′-GCAGAGGAGAATGTCAGATGCTCAGCTCGGTCCCCTCCGCCTGA-CGCTCCTCTCTGTCTCAGCCAGGACTGGTTTCTGTAAGAAACAGCAGGAGCTG TGGCAGCGGCGAAAGGAAGCGGCTGAGGCGCTTGGAACCCGAAAAGTCTCG GTGCTCCTGGCTACCTCGCACAGCGGTGCCCGCCCGGCCGTCAGTACCATGG ACAGCAGCGCTGCCCCCACGAACGCCAGCAATTGCACTGATGCCTTGGCGTA CTCAAGTTGCTCCCCAGCACCCAGCCCCGGTTCCTGGGTCAACTTGTCCCACT TAGATGGCGACCTGTCCGACCCATGCGGTCCGAACCGCACCGACCTGGGCGG GAGAGACAGCCTGTGCCCTCCAACCGGCAGTCCCTCCATGATCACGGCCATC ACGATCATGGCCCTCTACTCCATCGTGTGCGTGGTGGGGCTCTTCGGAAACTT CCTGGTCATGTAGTGATTGTCAGATACACCAAGATGAAGACTGCCACCAAC ATCTACATTTTCAACCTTGCTCTGGCAGATGCCTTAGCCACCAGTACCCTGCC CTTCCAGAGTGTGAATTACCTAATGGGAACATGGCCATTTGGAACCATCCTTT GCAAGATAGTGATCTCCATAGATTACTATAACATGTTCACCAGCATATTCACC CTCTGCACCATGAGTGTTGATCGATACATTGCAGTCTGCCACCCTGTCAAGGC CTTAGATTTCCGFACTCCCCGAAATGCCAAAATTATCAATGTCTGCAACTGGA TCCTCTCTTCAGCCATTGGTCTTCCTGTAATGTTCATAGCTACAACAAAATAC AGGCAAGGTTCCATAGATTGTACACTAACATTCTCTCATCCAACCTGGTACTG GGAAAACCTGCTGAAGATCTGTGTTTTCATCTTCGCCTTCATTATGCCAGTGC TCATCATTACCGTGTGCTATGGACTGATGATCTTGCGCCTCAAGAGTGTCCGC ATGCTCTCTGGCTCCAAAGAAAAGGACAGGAATCTTCGAAGGATCACCAGGA TGGTGCTGGTGGTGGTGGCTGTGTTCATCGTCTGCTGGACTCCCATTCACATT TACGTCATCATTAAAGCCTTGGTTACAATCCCAGAAACTACGTTCCAGACTGT TTCTTGGCACTTCTGCATTGCTCTAGGTTACACAAACAGCTGCCTCAACCCAG TCCTTTATGCATTTCTGGATGAAAACTTCAAACGATGCTTCAGAGAGTTCTGT ATCCCAACCTCTTCCAACATTGAGCAACAAAACTCCACTCGAATTCGTCAGA ACACTAGAGACCACCCCTCCACGGCCAATACAGTGGATAGAACTAATCATCA GGTACGCAGTCTCTAGAATTAGGTATATCTACTGGGGATGACATAAAAATTA TAAGGCTTTGTGCTAAACTAGGAGTTTAATCCATTATAGAGGATGAGAATGG AGGGAAGCTT-3′ (SEQ.ID NO:13).

Example 2 Detecting Mu3 Opiate Receptor Expression

Human heart, vein, and artery tissue samples were homogenized in TRI REAGENT (Molecular Research Center, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio) using a polytron homogenizer. Human white blood cell samples were homogenized in TRI REAGENT by passing the samples through a 1 mL pipette ten times. The homogenates were stored at room temperature for 5 minutes to allow complete dissociation of nucleoprotein. 0.1 mL of 1-bromo-3-chloropropane (BCP) per 1 mL of TRI Reagent was added to the homogenates. The samples were vortexed vigorously for 15 seconds and then stored at room temperature for 7 minutes. After centrifugation of the samples for 15 minutes at 12,000 g, the aqueous phase was transferred to a fresh tube. RNA was precipitated by mixing with 0.5 mL of isopropanol per 1 mL of TRI REAGENT used in for the initial homogenization. Samples were stored at room temperature for 6 minutes and then centrifuged at 12,000 g for 8 minutes at 4° C. After removing the supernatant, the RNA pellet was washed with 1 mL of 75% ethanol per 1 mL TRI REAGENT used for the initial homogenization, and subsequently centrifuged at 7,500 g for 5 minutes at 4° C. The ethanol was discarded, and the RNA pellet air-dried for 5 minutes. The RNA pellet was dissolved in water and used as template.

An aliquot of each RNA sample was separated in an 1% agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide. Two predominant bands of small (˜2 kb) and large (˜5 kb) ribosomal RNA were observed. In addition, spectrophotometric measurements of the RNA samples were analyzed at 260 and 280 nm. The 260/280 ratios from all of the samples were above 1.6.

PCR analysis was used to study the expression of mRNA encoding a human mu3 opiate receptor. Briefly, PCR analysis was performed using the following primers: 5′-GGTACTGGGAAAACCTGCTGAAGATCTGTG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:19) and 5′-CATCCATGACCACAGTGGGCAAGGCAC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:20). Separation of the PCR products by gel electrophoresis revealed a large (about 910 bp) and small (about 605 bp) band for each of the four tissue samples (human heart, vein, and artery tissue and human white blood cells). The intensity of the large band for the human white blood cell sample was greater than the intensity of the large band for the human heart, vein, and artery samples. In addition, the intensity of the small band was about the same for the four samples. This result indicates that the mRNA corresponding to the larger band is expressed at a higher level in white blood cells when compared to its level of expression in vascular tissue.

Each band from each sample was purified, cloned into a TA cloning vector, and sequenced. The smaller band (about 605 bp) had a nucleic acid sequence corresponding to the nucleic acid sequence that encodes a human mu3 opiate receptor (e.g., SEQ ID NO:4). The larger band (about 910 bp) had the following nucleic acid sequence: 5′-TG- GTGCTGGTGGTGGTGGCTGTGTTCATCGTCTGCTGGACTCCCATTCACATTTA CGTCATCATTAAAGCCTTGGTTACAATCCCAGAAACTACGTTCCAGACTGTTT CTTGGCACTTCTGCATTGCTCTAGGTTACACAAACAGCTGCCTCAACCCAGTC CTTTATGCATTTCTGGATGAAAACTTCAAACGATGCTTCAGAGAGTTCTGTAT CCCAACCTCTTCCAACATTGAGCAACAAAACTCCACTCGAATTCGTCAGAAC ACTAGAGACCACCCCTCCACGGCCAATACAGTGGATAGAACTAATCATCAGG TACGCAGTCTCTAGAATTAGGTATATCTACTGGGGATGACATAAAAATTATA AGGCTTTGTGCTAAACTAGGAGTTTAATCCATTATAGAGGATGAGAATGGAG GAAGGGAAAGCAAATTGTGGTTTAAGGGTTAAAGAAGAGGTTTGTATATAAA CTGGGGTCCTTTAAATTTGCCTGTACATATTCATTAAGGTTTAAGGATCCCCA ATGGGNAAAACCATGGAACTTTTCAAAATACCTTTTTTATGGCCTTTACTTTT ATGCAAAATTTATGACTTTAGCACATTATAGAAATAATTCTGATCTAGAATCC TTTTCATTTTCCCCAGAATTATTATATAATTCATAGATGTTCTGCAATACCCCT CTTATTTCTCAAAAGCCAGTCTTGCTCTGGTTTCTGGATTAAAGAGAGAGGGT GAGTGCCTTGCCCACTGTGGTCATGGATGCAAGATATTCACAGAAAATTAGC ATCATAGAAAAAAAANNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANCATGTCGGCCGCCT CGGCCAAACATCGGGTCGAGCATGCATCTAGGGCGGCCAATTCCGCCCCTCT CCCCCCCNGCNNTTT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:21). The mRNA corresponding to the 910 bp band was designated a mu4 opiate receptor, while the mRNA corresponding to the 605 bp band was designated a mu3 opiate receptor.

Real time RT-PCR was performed using the same primers and RNA samples. The results confirmed that the mu3 mRNA is expressed equally in human heart, vein, artery, and white blood cells. In addition, the results confirmed that the mu4 mRNA is expressed to a greater extent in human heart, vein, and artery than in human white blood cells.

The following nucleic acid sequence was unique to the mu4 opiate receptor sequence: 5′-GGAAGGGAAAGCAAATTGTGGTTTAAGGGTTAAAGAAGAGGT-TTGTATATAAACTGGGGTCCTTTAAATTTGCCTGTACATATTCATTAAGGTTT AAGGATCCCCAATGGGNAAAACCATGGAACTTTTCAAAATACCTTTTTTATG GCCTTTACTTTTATGCAAAATTTATGACTTTAGCACATTATAGAAATAATTCT GATCTAGAATCCTTTTCATTTTCCC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:22). The following nucleic acid sequence corresponds to the 5′ end of SEQ ID NO:4 and the 3′ end of SEQ ID NO:21: 5′-ATACACCAAGATGAAGACTGCCACCAACATCTACATTTTCAACCT-TGCTCTGGCAGATGCCTTAGCCACCAGTACCCTGCCCTTCCAGAGTGTGAATT ACCTAATGGGAACATGGCCATTTGGAACCATCCTTTGCAAGATAGTGATCTCC ATAGATTACTATAACATGTTCACCAGCATATTCACCCTCTGCACCATGAGTGT TGATCGATACATTGCAGTCTGCCACCCTGTCAAGGCCTTAGATTTCCGTACTC CCCGAAATGCCAAAATTATCAATGTCTGCAACTGGATCCTCTCTTCAGCCATT GGTCTTCCTGTAATGTTCATAGCTACAACAAAATACAGGCAAGGTTCCATAG ATTGTACACTAACATTCTCTCATCCAACCTGGTACTGGGAAAACCTGCTGAAG ATCTGTGTTTTCATCTTCGCCTTCATTATGCCAGTGCTCATCATTACCGTGTGC TATGGACTGATGATCTTGCGCCTCAAGAGTGTCCGCATGCTCTCTGGCTCCAA AGAAAAGGACAGGAATCTTCGAAGGATCACCAGGATGGTGCTGGTGGTGGT GGCTGTGTTCATCGTCTGCTGGACTCCCATTCACATTTACGTCATCATTAAAG CCTTGGTTACAATCCCAGAAACTACGTTCCAGACTGTTTCTTGGCACTTCTGC ATTGCTCTAGGTTACACAAACAGCTGCCTCAACCCAGTCCTTTATGCATTTCT GGATGAAAACTTCAAACGATGCTTCAGAGAGTTCTGTATCCCAACCTCTTCCA ACATTGAGCAACAAAACTCCACTCGAATTCGTCAGAACACTAGAGACCACCC CTCCACGGCCAATACAGTGGATAGAACTAATCATCAGGTACGCAGTCTCTAG AATTAGGTATATCTACTGGGGATGACATAAAAATTATAAGGCTTTGTGCTAA ACTAGGAGTTTAATCCATTATAGAGGATGAGAATGGAGGGAAGGGAAAGCA AATTGTGGTTTAAGGGTTAAAGAAGAGGTTTGTATATAAACTGGGGTCCTTTA AATTTGCCTGTACATATTCATTAAGGTTTAAGGATCCCCAATGGGNAAAACC ATGGAACTTTTCAAAATACCTTTTTTATGGCCTTTACTTTTATGCAAAATTTAT GACTTTAGCACATTATAGAAATAATTCTGATCTAGAATCCTTTTCATTTTCCCC AGAATTATTATATAATTCATAGATGTTCTGCAATACCCCTCTTATTTCTCAAA AGCCAGTCTTGCTCTGGTTTCTGGATTAAAGAGAGAGGGTGAGTGCCTTGCCC ACTGTGGTCATGGATGCAAGATATTCACAGAAAATTAGCATCATAGAAAAAA AANNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANCATGTCGGCCGCCTCGGCCAAACATCG GGTCGAGCATGCATCTAGGGCGGCCAATTCCGCCCCTCTCCCCCCCNGCNNTT TCCACACCGAGGAGTCCAGTTTGTGCAAGACACCCAGCGGAACCAAAACCCA TCGTGGTATGTGAATCGAAGTCATCATAAAAGGTGACCCTTCTGTCTGTAAGA TTTTAATTTAAGCATATATTTATGACCTCAACAAAGACGAACCATCTTTTGTT AATTCACCGTAGTAACACATAAAGTTATGCTACCTCTGATCAAAG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:23).

Example 3 Additional Cloning Techniques

A nucleic acid molecule encoding a mu3 or mu4 polypeptide is cloned using a human testis Creator SMART cDNA library constructed in pDNR-LIB, a Creator donor vector. This vector has a probability of greater than 93 percent of obtaining a full-length cDNA. Once obtained, the full-length cDNA is sequenced and cloned into an expression vector such as pCMV-Sport-bgal (Life Technologies). The expression vector containing the nucleic acid encoding a mu3 or mu4 polypeptide is transfected into mammalian cells (e.g., CHO or Cos7) by, for example, by Lipofection. Once transfected, the mammalian cells are analyzed for morphine and opioid peptide binding as well as naloxone sensitivity.

In addition, mRNA expression of a mu3 or mu4 opiate receptor is analyzed by RT-PCR using real time PCR (GeneAmp 5700 sequence detection; Applied Biosystems) or by Northern blot analysis using a sequence-specific probe as described herein.

The following procedures are performed to express nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having opioid receptor activity. Briefly, a mu3 or mu4 cDNA obtained from the library is cloned into a pcDNA5/FRT/TO-TOPO expression vector (pcDNA5/FRT/TO TA Expression Kit, Invitrogen). This 5.2 kb expression vector is designed to facilitate rapid cloning and tetracycline-regulated expression of PCR products using the Flp-In T-REX System. The expression vector containing the gene of interest is cotransfected with the pOG44 Flp recombinase expression plasmid into a Flp-In T-REX mammalian host cell line (Flp-In CHO) by lipid mediated transfection (Invitrogen), and the pcDNA5/FRT/TO-TOPO vector plus the DNA insert is integrated in a Flp recombinase-dependent manner into the genome. Addition of tetracycline to the culture medium causes expression of the polypeptide encoded by the insert. The pcDNA5/FRT/TO-TOPO expression vector is controlled by the strong human CMV immediate early enhancer/promoter into which the tet operator 2(TetO2) sequence have been inserted in tandem. Insertion of these TetO2 sequences into the CMV promoter confers regulation by tetracycline to the promoter. PCR primers are designed to ensure that the right recombinant protein is obtained. A pcDNA5/FRT/TO/CAT positive control vector and a mock transfection (negative control) is used to evaluate the results. The CAT protein expressed from the positive control plasmid is determined by ELISA or Western blot assays. Human mu3 or mu4 opiate receptor polypeptide expression is determine by Western blot using polyclonal antibodies specific for either the human mu3 or mu4 polypeptides. Polyclonal antibody that recognize these polypeptides are generated commercially. After identifying cells expressing the mu3 or mu4 polypeptide, functions such as the ability of morphine to cause the induction of cNOS is evaluated. In addition, mu antagonists such as naloxone and CTOP are used in addition to the NO synthase inhibitor, L-NAME, to evaluate the activity of the mu3 or mu4 polypeptide.

Example 4 Detecting Mu4 mRNA Expression

Human heparinized whole blood cells obtained from volunteer blood donors (Long Island Blood Services; Melville, N.Y.) were immediately separated using the 1-Step Polymorphs (Accurate Chemical and Scientific Corporation, Westbury, N.Y.) gradient medium. Five mL of the heparinized blood was layered over 3.5 mL of polymorphs in a 14 mL round-bottom tube and centrifuged for 35 minutes at 500×g in a swinging-bucket rotor at 18° C. After centrifugation, the top band at the sample/medium interface consisting of mononuclear cells was harvested in 14 mL tubes and then washed with RPMI 1640 media (GIBCO BRL, Gaithesburg, Md.) by centrifugation for 10 minutes at 400×g. In addition, residual red blood cells were lysed using ACK lysing buffer (Current Protocol in Immunology). The mononuculear cells were incubated in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum for 4 hours in a 37° C. incubator with 5% CO₂ in order to recover. The cells were then treated with SNAP (1 μM), SNAP plus superoxide dismutase (SOD; 100 units/mL) (SIGMA St. Louis, Mo.), or SOD (100 U/mL), respectively.

After incubation, mononuclear cells were pelleted by centrifugation, and total RNA was isolated with the RNeasy Protect Mini Kit (Qiagen, Stanford, Calif.) following the directions supplied by the manufacturer. RNA was eluted with 50 μL of RNase-free water.

First strand cDNA synthesis was performed using random hexamers (GIBCO, BRL, Gaithesburg, Md.). 3 μg of total RNA isolated from human mononuclear cells were denatured at 95° C. and reverse transcribed at 40° C. for 1 hour using Superscript II Rnase H-RT (GIBCO BRL, Gaithesburg Md.). Five μL of the RT product was used for the real-time PCR reaction.

Primers and probe specific for the mu4 opiate receptor sequence were designed as follows using the software Primer Express (Applied Biosystems). The sequence for the forward primer was 5′-GAATCCTTTTCATTTTCCCCAGAAT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:24); the sequence for the reverse primer was 5′-AACCAGAGCAAGACTGGCTTTTG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:25); and the sequence for the Taqman probe was 5′-ATAATTCATAGATGTTGCTGCAATACCCCTCTTATTTCT-3′ (SEQ ID NO:26). The Taqman probe was constructed with the 5′ reporter dye 6-carboxyfluorescein and a 3′ quencher dye 6-carboxy-tetramethyl-rhodoamine. The 2× universal master mix (Applied Biosystems) containing PCR buffer, MgCl₂, dNTPs, and the thermal stable AmpliTaq Gold DNA polymerase was used in the PCR reactions. In addition, 200 μM of reverse and forward primers, 100 μM Taqman probe, 5 μL of RT product, and Rnase/DNase-free water were added to the master mix to a final volume of 50 μL. The PCR reaction mixture was transferred to a MicroAmp optical 96-well reaction plate and incubated at 95° C. for 10 minutes to activate the Amplitaq Gold DNA polymerase. The reactions were performed with 40 cycles at 95° C. for 30 seconds and 60° C. for 1 minute on the Applied Biosystems GeneAmp 5700 Sequence Detection System. The PCR results were analyzed with the GeneAmp 5700 SDS software (Applied Biosystems). In order to determine the relative copy number of the target gene transcript, control cDNA generated from SHY cell total RNA was used to produce a standard curve. A standard curve for the reference gene β-actin was performed using the Applied Biosystems β-actin TaqMan Control Reagents kit (part no. 401846). Viability counts were done for all of the different time points and 96% of the mononuclear cells were viable.

Real-time RT-PCR analysis of human mononuclear cells treated with SNAP alone for 30 minutes resulted in significantly lower mu4 mRNA expression (0.05 relative mRNA level) as compared to nontreated cells (1.0 relative mRNA level), whereas cells treated with SNAP plus SOD (which scavenges free radicals) for the same time period exhibited a level of mu4 mRNA expression (0.83 relative mRNA level) close to the observed control level (FIG. 2). After 6 hours of treatment, the level of mu4 mRNA expression in cells treated with SNAP not only rebounded back but also significantly (p=0.029) exceeded control levels (8±5.6 relative mRNA level; FIG. 3). After 24 hours of treatment, the level of mu4 mRNA expression in cells treated with SNAP also exceeded control levels (n=1; 10.5 relative mRNA level; FIG. 3). Similar results were observed in human mononuclear cells treated with morphine (1 μM; FIG. 4).

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. 

1. An isolated nucleic acid primer for amplifying nucleic acid encoding a sequence of mu3 opiate receptor having higher affinity for morphine than for DAMGO, wherein said primer comprises at least a 15 contiguous nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 with or without a single nucleotide insertion, single nucleotide deletion, or single nucleotide substitution.
 2. The primer of claim 1, wherein said at least a 15 nucleotide sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 without an insertion, deletion, or substitution.
 3. The primer of claim 1, wherein said at least a 15 nucleotide sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 with a single nucleotide insertion.
 4. The primer of claim 1, wherein said at least a 15 nucleotide sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 with a single nucleotide deletion.
 5. The primer of claim 1, wherein said at least a 15 nucleotide sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 with a single nucleotide substitution.
 6. The primer of claim 1, wherein said at least a 15 nucleotide sequence is between 15 and 30 nucleotides in length. 